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The Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection (JWGSDEP) held its 11th meeting in Hong Kong today (December 20). The meeting reviewed the progress of various environmental co-operation initiatives. Both sides considered that good progress had been made on different fronts, including improving the air quality in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region, promoting cleaner production, protecting water environment, and managing the forestry and marine resources.
Major Achievements
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During the past year, both sides made substantial efforts to implement and strengthen the emission reduction and control measures set out in the PRD Regional Air Quality Management Plan (Management Plan). The key measures that have been undertaken in Hong Kong include: continuing to encourage local power companies to install desulphurisation and denitrification systems; tightening the statutory specifications for motor vehicle fuels to the Euro V standards; and providing financial subsidy to encourage early replacement of Euro II diesel commercial vehicles. As for Guangdong, the key measures that have been implemented include: completing the installation of vapour recovery system at petrol filling stations, oil depots and tanker trucks in the PRD Region; implementing new pollutant emission standards for boilers, cement industry, furniture manufacturing industry, printing industry, shoe-making industry and surface coating of automobile manufacturing industry; tightening the emission standards for light duty petrol vehicles and gas vehicles in PRD Region to National IV standards; and starting to supply motor vehicle fuel at the National IV standards. Indeed, according to the PRD Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network results jointly announced by both sides this year, the average annual concentration of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and respirable suspended particulates in the PRD region decreased by 38%, 9% and 7% respectively in 2009 as compared to the 2006 levels amidst continuing growth of the economy in the region. This year is the target year for both sides to achieve the 2010 emission reduction targets. The two sides have started to collect relevant data with a view to assessing the achievement of the emission reduction targets. In addition, both sides have set up a team of experts under the JWGSDEP to actively undertake a study on the post-2010 arrangements for emission reduction in the PRD region, and strive to complete it as soon as possible.
To further improve regional environmental quality and enhance energy efficiency, both sides are taking active steps to encourage enterprises in the region to adopt energy efficient and cleaner production practices. The Cleaner Production Partnership Programme has achieved satisfactory progress with 940 projects approved so far. In response to the needs of the industries, the Cleaner Production Partnership Programme expanded its scope in January this year to provide professional advice and technical support in the treatment and reduction of effluent discharges. In addition, both sides jointly presented the "Hong Kong - Guangdong Cleaner Production Partner" commendation to 115 Hong Kong-owned enterprises on November 4, 2010 to recognise their efforts in pursuing and promoting cleaner production.
On improving water quality, both sides commissioned a three-year joint study on regional water quality management plan for the Pearl River Estuary in February this year to evaluate the environmental capacity of the Estuary under various functional uses zoning and water quality targets. The study will provide a solid scientific basis for the formulation and implementation of water quality management targets and water pollution control plans in the Estuary. Furthermore, the two sides have maintained close liaison and collaboration in protecting the water environment of Dongjiang to safeguard the quality of water supply to Hong Kong.
In addition, Hong Kong and Shenzhen are working together to improve the water quality of Shenzhen Bay. A review of the regional water quality control strategy for Mirs Bay is being jointly conducted. The review, planned for completion by 2011, will make recommendations on protecting the Mirs Bay water environment and meeting the sustainable development objectives.
On forestry development and nature conservation, the two sides have continued exchanges and training of personnel on hill fire prevention and abatement, afforestation, protection of endangered animal and plant species, wetland conservation and management, as well as prevention and control of plant diseases and insect pests.
In respect of marine resources conservation, both sides have been actively carried out exchanges and co-operation in the areas of conservation and research of rare marine animals, construction and management of artificial reefs, aquaculture techniques and red tide monitoring.
Work Plan for 2011
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The work plan for 2011 also includes the following key areas-
* Implement and strengthen the emission reduction and control measures under the PRD Regional Air Quality Management Plan to further improve regional air quality. Embark upon a final assessment on the achievement of the 2010 emission reduction targets at both sides, and strive to complete the study on the post-2010 arrangements for emission reduction in the PRD region as soon as possible;
* Continue to proactively carry out the Cleaner Production Partnership Programme and the Hong Kong - Guangdong Cleaner Production Partners Recognition Scheme to promote energy efficiency and emission reduction;
* Jointly take forward the joint study on regional water quality management plan for the Pearl River Estuary;
* Proactively implement the water pollution abatement actions for Shenzhen Bay, and jointly take forward the review of the regional water quality control strategy for Mirs Bay. Continue with the work in protecting the water quality of Dongjiang and maintain close liaison to safeguard the quality of water supply to Hong Kong;
* Actively explore co-operation opportunities on recycling and reuse of detoxified reusable materials with a view to fostering co-operation and development of recovery and recycling industries, e.g. glass containers of the two sides;
* Continue exchanges and training on afforestation, urban greening, forest pest control as well as the protection of endangered animal and plant species. The two sides will explore co-operation and exchanges opportunities regarding protection and restoration of wetland mangroves in the Pearl River Estuary, protection of wild animal and plant species and surveillance of related diseases, planning and development of cross-boundary ecosystem, as well as tree planting and forestry technology; and
* Undertake Pearl River Estuary ecological restoration, continue to enhance co-operation and exchanges on fishery resources enhancement and sustainable development of fishery, conservation and research work on Chinese white dolphins, coral reefs and sea turtles. Other areas for co-operation and exchanges will be explored, including the construction and assessing the effectiveness of artificial reefs, red tide monitoring, aquaculture and joint enforcement.
Ends/Monday, December 20, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:52
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